THE SHOALS-RED RIBBON WEEK, which is celebrated annually October 23-31, is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program.

Red Ribbon Week was started after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico.  As a tribute to SA Camarena, high school friend, Henry Lozano and Congressman Duncan Hunter, created “Camarena Clubs” and the wearing of a red ribbon to show their oppositions to drugs.

In 1988, the National Family Partnership coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary Chairpersons.  Since then, the Red Ribbon campaign has taken on national significance, and NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year.  Wearing red ribbons during the month of October continues to represent our pledge to live drug free and honors the sacrifice of all who have lost their lives in the fight against drugs.

Red Ribbon Week is an ideal time to raise drug awareness, including the proper disposal of unwanted drugs.

Prescription Drug Abuse

When faced with heightened anxiety, stress, and depression many people look for solace in prescription drugs like opioids that are often readily accessible inside the home. New risks to human and environmental health call for enhanced outreach to ensure the safe removal of unwanted and expired medications from households worldwide. Unfortunately, many people improperly dispose of unused pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). These products make their way into the environment through sewer systems or landfills. PPCPs can travel through sewer systems and arrive at wastewater treatment facilities that are not equipped to completely remove them from the water. As a result, compounds left in treated water can cycle back into drinking water.

People are encouraged to take an active role in eliminating PPCPs from the environment since humans are responsible for their existence. One way to do that is to use prescription drop boxes.

Drug Boxes

Prescription drop boxes are one of the best ways to eliminate unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Contact your local police department or pharmacy to find the nearest drop box in your area. You can also search drug disposal sites via Google Maps or the United States Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website to find a location near you.

To see drug boxes sponsored or co-sponsored by Alabama Extension please visit Disposing of Unused Medication. Make sure all medication labels have been removed from pill bottles or containers before bringing them to a drop-off location.

Drug Take-Back Days

The DEA also has national drug take-back days that occur on the fourth Saturday in April and October each year. To observe these days, many communities and businesses establish collection sites where people can bring unwanted drugs.

In April of 2024, 4,607 US law enforcement agencies provided 4,869 drop-off locations and collected 670,136 pounds (335 tons) of unwanted and expired medication. The program has resulted in the collection of over 18.6 million pounds (9,285 tons) of drugs since its inception.

The next drug take-back day coincides with Red Ribbon Week on October 26. To find a collection site near you, or for more information on drug take-back days, visit the Take Back Day website.

Lock Your Meds

Take the Lock Your Meds pledge! By taking the Lock Your Meds Pledge, you become eligible to enter a drawing for a medicine case with a combination lock. The winner will be announced on March 1, 2025.

By taking the pledge, you vow to:

• Secure my medication to prevent children and guests from accessing it.
• Take regular inventory of my medicine to make sure nothing is missing.
• Safely dispose of unused or expired medication.

Observing Red Ribbon Week 

Here are other ways to observe Red Ribbon Week.

• Wear a red ribbon during the week.
• Participate in a local drug-take-back program.
• Promote a drug-free lifestyle by lighting up your business in red.
• Display fact sheets and Red Ribbon Week notices in your office.
• Sponsor a Red Ribbon Week activity (e.g., poster contest or fun run).
• Create a bulletin board display about Red Ribbon Week.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of drug abuse and improperly disposing of medicine.
• Post a red ribbon photo on social media and tag it #DEARedRibbon.
• Share facts and Red Ribbon Week activities with family, friends, and colleagues.

Media Release/Alabama A&M and Auburn/Alabama Extension Service